When you are faced with a sudden and urgent oral health problem, you may experience a range of emotions and have questions about the road ahead. For example, you might wonder, “What can my dentist do to help? What can I expect during an emergency appointment?” Such questions are completely valid! In this blog post, you will learn the basics of what you can expect during your emergency visit.
Examination
The first step in any emergency dental appointment is a thorough examination. Your dentist will assess the severity of your condition by performing a physical inspection of your mouth. X-rays may also be taken to get a clear view of the internal structures of your teeth and jaw.
Be sure to tell your dentist about your symptoms, any incidents that led to the emergency, and any relevant details about your medical history. Once your dentist is well-informed about the situation, they can start to formulate a treatment plan.
Pain Relief
Emergency dental issues often come with a significant amount of pain. Your dentist does not want you to suffer, so you can expect them to provide emergency pain relief measures. This may involve administering a local anesthetic to numb the affected area or prescribing pain medication to help manage your discomfort.
The goal is to make you as comfortable as possible during the treatment process. You should not hesitate to express the level of pain you are experiencing so that your dentist can tailor the pain relief methods to your needs.
Treatment
Once the examination is complete and you have received pain relief, your dentist will proceed with the necessary treatment. Depending on the nature of the emergency, the treatment may vary.
Some procedures that are often involved in urgent dental care include:
- Emergency tooth extractions
- Treatment for infections
- Replacing a lost crown or filling (or providing a temporary restoration to cover a damaged tooth)
- Cleaning of oral wounds
- Root canal therapy
Keep in mind that not all dental problems can be completely resolved in a single appointment. If that is true in your case, your dental team will help you arrange for follow-up care.
Follow-up
After the initial emergency treatment, follow-up care is important to ensure that your dental health is fully restored. Be sure to attend any additional appointments that your care team recommends so they can check on your progress and provide necessary follow-up treatments.
Visiting your dentist for emergency care can seem like a daunting experience, but understanding the process can help alleviate some of your worries. From examination and pain relief to treatment and follow-up, each step is designed to ensure your dental health is restored as efficiently as possible.
Meet the Practice
Dr. Albert Kim and the team at Highline Dental in Pecan Grove are proud to provide a broad range of services for our community. We make every effort to see emergency patients ASAP. Relieving your pain and restoring your oral health is a top priority! If you have questions about what to expect in our office or you would like to request an appointment, get in touch with us at 832-220-9324.